{{Short description|American materials scientist, entrepreneur, and academic}} {{Use mdy dates|date=December 2022}} {{Infobox academic | name = John Ballato | image = | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1971|01|09}} | birth_place = New York City | occupation = Materials scientist, entrepreneur, and academic | title = | awards = Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)<br />Fellow, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)<br />Fellow, American Physical Society (APS)<br />Fellow, Optica (formerly the Optical Society of America, OSA)<br />William Streifer Scientific Achievement Award, IEEE Photonics Society<br />George W. Morey Award, American Ceramic Society<br />Academician, World Academy of Ceramics (WAC) | website = | education = B.S. Ceramic Science and Engineering<br />PhD Ceramic and Materials Engineering | alma_mater = Rutgers University | thesis_title = | thesis_url = | thesis_year = | workplaces = Clemson University }}

'''John Ballato''' is an American materials scientist, entrepreneur, and academic. He holds the J. E. Sirrine Endowed Chair of Optical Fiber and is a professor of materials science and engineering, electrical and computer engineering, as well as physics and astronomy at Clemson University. He has received many international recognitions for his research on optical and optoelectronic materials, particularly as relates to optical fiber.<ref name=ook>{{Cite web|url=https://www.clemson.edu/cecas/departments/ece/faculty_staff/faculty/jballato.html|title=John Ballato &#124; College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences|publisher=Clemson University}}</ref>

Ballato is a Fellow of the American Ceramic Society (ACerS),<ref name=hhh>{{Cite web|url=https://ceramics.org/award-winners/john-ballato|title=John Ballato|website=The American Ceramic Society}}</ref> Optica (formerly the Optical Society of America, OSA),<ref name=nnc>{{Cite web|url=https://www.laserfocusworld.com/fiber-optics/article/16559474/clemsons-john-ballato-named-osa-fellow|title=StackPath|website=www.laserfocusworld.com|date=November 23, 2011 }}</ref> the International Society for Optical Engineering (SPIE),<ref name=ddq>{{Cite web|url=https://spie.org/profile/John.Ballato-15223?SSO=1|title=John Ballato|website=spie.org}}</ref> the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE),<ref name=bby>{{cite web|url=https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/author/37319550900|title= John Ballato – IEEE Xplore}}</ref><ref name=tre/> the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS),<ref name=jda>{{cite journal |title=2019 AAAS Fellows approved by the AAAS Council |journal=Science |date=29 November 2019 |volume=366 |issue=6469 |pages=1086–1089 |doi=10.1126/science.366.6469.1086 |bibcode=2019Sci...366.1086. |s2cid=241504677 |doi-access=free }}</ref> and the American Physical Society (APS).<ref name=mmn>{{Cite web|url=https://news.clemson.edu/john-ballato-elected-fellow-of-the-american-physical-society/|title=John Ballato elected Fellow of the American Physical Society|first=Paul|last=Alongi|date=October 21, 2020|website=Clemson News}}</ref> He is also a member of World Academy of Science, the US National Academy of Inventors,<ref name=llp/> and Aspen Global Leadership Network (AGLN),<ref name=ssd>{{Cite web|url=https://agln.aspeninstitute.org/profile/2034|title=John Ballato – User Profile|website=Aspen Global Leadership Network}}</ref> and serves as editor of the journal ''Optical Materials''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/optical-materials/about/editorial-board|title=Editorial board – Optical Materials|publisher=ScienceDirect}}</ref> He is an active participant on the "Photonic Glasses and Optical Fibers"<ref>{{cite web|url=https://icglass.org/technical-committees/tc20-photonic-glasses-and-optical-fibers/|title=TC20: Photonic Glasses and Optical Fibers}}</ref> technical committee for the International Commission on Glass.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://news.clemson.edu/john-ballato-receives-one-of-glass-sciences-top-international-awards/|title=John Ballato receives one of glass science's top international awards|first=Paul|last=Alongi|date=March 28, 2022|website=Clemson News}}</ref>

==Education== Ballato studied at Rutgers University, and received his bachelor's degree in ceramic science and engineering in 1993, and a PhD in ceramic and materials engineering in 1997. His undergraduate research and thesis was conducted under the guidance Elias Snitzer.<ref>{{Cite journal|doi=10.1364/AO.34.006848 |title=Fabrication of fibers with high rare-earth concentrations for Faraday isolator applications |year=1995 |last1=Ballato |first1=John |last2=Snitzer |first2=Elias |journal=Applied Optics |volume=34 |issue=30 |pages=6848–6854 |pmid=21060544 |bibcode=1995ApOpt..34.6848B }}</ref> His doctoral dissertation, Sol-Gel Synthesis of Rare Earth Doped Halide Optical Materials for Photonic Applications, was supervised by Richard Riman.<ref>{{cite thesis |last1=Ballato |first1=John Michael |year=1997 |title=Sol-gel synthesis of rare-earth-doped halide optical materials for photonic applications |id={{ProQuest|304364338}} |oclc=81519431 }}</ref>

==Career== Ballato began his career as an assistant professor of ceramic and materials engineering at Clemson University in 1997. He was promoted to associate professor in 2002 and became a professor of materials science and engineering in 2007. Along with the latter appointment, he has held secondary appointments as professor of electrical and computer engineering since 2009, and as professor of physics and astronomy since 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.clemson.edu/cecas/departments/mse/people/faculty/ballato.html|title=Dr. John M. Ballato|publisher=Clemson University College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences}}</ref>

Ballato held several administrative appointments throughout his career. He served as Director of the Center for Optical Materials Science and Engineering Technologies at Clemson University from 2000 until 2014. During this time period, he also held concurrent appointments as Faculty Representative to the (Clemson University) Board of Trustees,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.clemson.edu/faculty-staff/faculty-senate/representative.html|title=Faculty Representative To the Board of Trustees|publisher=Clemson University}}</ref> and as vice president for Research and Economic Development.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://archive.independentmail.com/news/local/ballato-named-interim-vp-for-research-development-at-clemson-ep-414410805-349846441.html/|title=Ballato named interim VP for research, development at Clemson|date=June 8, 2010|work=Anderson Independent-Mail}}</ref> Prior to becoming J. E. Sirrine Endowed Chair of Optical Fiber in 2015, he served as vice president for economic development. In 2019, he was elected as Director of the AVX Corporation, a position he served in until their acquisition by Kyocera.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.streetinsider.com/SEC+Filings/Form+8-K+AVX+Corp+For%3A+Feb+06/15094585.html|title=Form 8-K AVX Corp For: Feb 06|website=StreetInsider.com}}</ref>

Ballato is the co-founder of South Mechanic Street Group, and AEOS Fiber Optics. In 2001, he co-founded Tetramer Technologies.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://soe.rutgers.edu/story/alumni-spotlight-john-ballato-phd-eng%E2%80%9993-gsnb%E2%80%9995-%E2%80%9897|title=Alumni Spotlight: John Ballato, PhD ENG'93, GSNB'95, '97|date=December 17, 2014|publisher=Rutgers University School of Engineering}}</ref>

==Research == Ballato has published more than 600 scientific papers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=A05TQLcAAAAJ&hl=en|title=John Ballato|website=scholar.google.com}}</ref> He has focused his research on the use of optical materials and structures for the purpose of gaining high-value photonic and optoelectronic applications. His research group develops specialty optical fibers for high energy laser, biomedical, and industrial uses. He has 35 issued patents.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://loop.frontiersin.org/people/192185/bio|title=Loop &#124; John Ballato|website=loop.frontiersin.org}}</ref>

While studying at Rutgers University, Ballato and his mentor, Elias Snitzer, invented a new process for manufacturing optical fibers, the "Molten Core Method."<ref>{{Cite journal|doi=10.1364/OE.16.018675 |title=Silicon optical Fiber |year=2008 |last1=Ballato |first1=J. |last2=Hawkins |first2=T. |last3=Foy |first3=P. |last4=Stolen |first4=R. |last5=Kokuoz |first5=B. |last6=Ellison |first6=M. |last7=McMillen |first7=C. |last8=Reppert |first8=J. |last9=Rao |first9=A. M. |last10=Daw |first10=M. |last11=Sharma |first11=S. R. |last12=Shori |first12=R. |last13=Stafsudd |first13=O. |last14=Rice |first14=R. R. |last15=Powers |first15=D. R. |journal=Optics Express |volume=16 |issue=23 |pages=18675–18683 |pmid=19581953 |doi-access=free |bibcode=2008OExpr..1618675B }}</ref> Later, in 2013, Ballato reconsidered the materials that can be used to make commercially relevant optical fibers with properties not otherwise possible using conventional fabrication approaches. He put a particular emphasis on the expansion of the molten core approach to a wide variety of novel yet practical fibers. He has shown the molten core process to be amenable to the fabrication of both glassy and crystalline fibers. Relating to the glassy fibers, he developed a range of crystal-derived all-glass fibers that exhibited very low optical nonlinearities. Relating to the crystalline core fibers, Ballato was the first to use the molten core method to fabricate long lengths of glass-clad semiconductor fibers, opening the door to their greater availability and application.<ref>{{Cite journal|title=Semiconductor core fibres: materials science in a bottle|first1=Ursula J.|last1=Gibson|first2=Lei|last2=Wei|first3=John|last3=Ballato|date=June 28, 2021|journal=Nature Communications|volume=12|issue=1|pages=3990|doi=10.1038/s41467-021-24135-3|pmid=34183645 |pmc=8239017 |doi-access=free|bibcode=2021NatCo..12.3990G }}</ref> It is for this body of work that many of his awards relate.<ref name=SPIE/>

Ballato's study and development of optical fibers also extends into infrared glasses and fibers.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Tao |first1=Guangming |last2=Ebendorff-Heidepriem |first2=Heike |last3=Stolyarov |first3=Alexander M. |last4=Danto |first4=Sylvain |last5=Badding |first5=John V. |last6=Fink |first6=Yoel |last7=Ballato |first7=John |last8=Abouraddy |first8=Ayman F. |title=Infrared fibers |journal=Advances in Optics and Photonics |date=30 June 2015 |volume=7 |issue=2 |pages=379 |doi=10.1364/AOP.7.000379 |bibcode=2015AdOP....7..379T }}</ref> Moreover, his research paved the way to device-level implementation of two novel light-guiding approaches, transverse Anderson localization and gain-guiding in an index-antiguiding fiber,<ref>{{Cite journal|title=Review of a Decade of Research on Disordered Anderson Localizing Optical Fibers|first1=Arash|last1=Mafi|first2=John|last2=Ballato|date=December 23, 2021|journal=Frontiers in Physics|volume=9|page=681 |doi=10.3389/fphy.2021.736774|doi-access=free|bibcode=2021FrP.....9..681M }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Siegman |first1=A. E. |last2=Chen |first2=Ying |last3=Sudesh |first3=Vikas |last4=Richardson |first4=Martin C. |last5=Bass |first5=Michael |last6=Foy |first6=Paul |last7=Hawkins |first7=Wade |last8=Ballato |first8=John |title=Confined propagation and near single-mode laser oscillation in a gain-guided, index antiguided optical fiber |journal=Applied Physics Letters |date=18 December 2006 |volume=89 |issue=25 |pages=251101 |doi=10.1063/1.2405860 |bibcode=2006ApPhL..89y1101S |url=https://stars.library.ucf.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=7583&context=facultybib2000 |url-access=subscription }}</ref> with potential applications in lasers and imaging.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Karbasi |first1=Salman |last2=Frazier |first2=Ryan J. |last3=Koch |first3=Karl W. |last4=Hawkins |first4=Thomas |last5=Ballato |first5=John |last6=Mafi |first6=Arash |title=Image transport through a disordered optical fibre mediated by transverse Anderson localization |journal=Nature Communications |date=May 2014 |volume=5 |issue=1 |pages=3362 |doi=10.1038/ncomms4362 |pmid=24566557 |arxiv=1307.4160 |bibcode=2014NatCo...5.3362K |s2cid=205323503 }}</ref>

In addition to his body of work in optical fiber, Ballato also has studied and made contributions to long-term ordering in semiconductors,<ref>{{Cite journal|title=Evolution of Luminescence from Doped Gallium Phosphide over 40 Years|first1=Sergei|last1=Pyshkin|first2=John|last2=Ballato|first3=Michael|last3=Bass|first4=Giorgio|last4=Turri|date=May 1, 2009|journal=Journal of Electronic Materials|volume=38|issue=5|pages=640–646|doi=10.1007/s11664-009-0678-6|bibcode=2009JEMat..38..640P |s2cid=98178899 |doi-access=free}}</ref> nanograin-sized transparent ceramics,<ref>{{cite book |doi=10.1364/AIOM.2011.AIWA2 |chapter=Development of Submicrometer-Grained Highly Transparent Sesquioxide Ceramics |title=Advances in Optical Materials |year=2011 |last1=Ballato |first1=J. |last2=Serivalsatit |first2=K. |pages=AIWA2 |isbn=978-1-55752-904-6 }}</ref> numerous passive and active optical polymers,<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Woo |first1=H. S. |last2=Czerw |first2=R. |last3=Webster |first3=S. |last4=Carroll |first4=D. L. |last5=Ballato |first5=J. |last6=Strevens |first6=A. E. |last7=O’Brien |first7=D. |last8=Blau |first8=W. J. |title=Hole blocking in carbon nanotube–polymer composite organic light-emitting diodes based on poly ( m -phenylene vinylene-co-2, 5-dioctoxy- p -phenylene vinylene) |journal=Applied Physics Letters |date=28 August 2000 |volume=77 |issue=9 |pages=1393–1395 |doi=10.1063/1.1290275 |bibcode=2000ApPhL..77.1393W |hdl=2262/66753 |hdl-access=free }}</ref> and ferroelectric ceramics.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Ballato |first1=J. |last2=Schwartz |first2=R. |last3=Ballato |first3=A. |title=Network formalism for modeling functionally gradient piezoelectric plates and stacks and simulations of RAINBOW ceramic actuators |journal=IEEE Transactions on Ultrasonics, Ferroelectrics and Frequency Control |date=March 2001 |volume=48 |issue=2 |pages=462–476 |doi=10.1109/58.911729 |pmid=11370360 |s2cid=32461483 }}</ref>

==Awards and honors== *1997 – Norbert J. Kreidl Award, The Glass and Optical Materials Division (GOMD) of the American Ceramic Society (ACerS)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ceramics.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/KreidlRecipientList_2020.pdf|title=Norbert J. Kreidl Award}}</ref> *2003 – Robert Lansing Hardy Award, The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society (TMS), "in recognition of exceptional promise for a successful career in metallurgy or materials science."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tms.org/portal/Professional_Development/Honors___Awards/AIME_Robert_Lansing_Hardy_Award.aspx#:~:text=This+award+recognizes+a+young,than+for+any+specific+accomplishment|title=AIME Robert Lansing Hardy Award|website=www.tms.org}}</ref> *2004 – The Schwartzwalder-PACE Award, National Institute of Ceramic Engineers, "in recognition of the nation’s outstanding young ceramic engineer whose achievements have been significant to the profession and the general welfare of the American people."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ceramics.org/awards/karl-schwartzwalder-professional-achievement-in-ceramic-engineering-pace-award|title=Karl Schwartzwalder-Professional Achievement in Ceramic Engineering (PACE) Award|website=The American Ceramic Society}}</ref> *2004 – Robert L. Coble Award, American Ceramic Society (ACerS), "in recognition of the nation’s outstanding young ceramic scientist."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ceramics.org/awards/robert-l-coble-award-for-young-scholars|title=Robert L. Coble Award for Young Scholars|website=The American Ceramic Society}}</ref> *2007 – Liberty Fellow; An incubator for exemplary leadership in South Carolina *2009 – Fellow, American Ceramic Society (ACerS)<ref name=hhh/> *2010 – Richard M. Fulrath Award, American Ceramic Society; recognizes "excellence in research and development of ceramic sciences and materials"<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ceramics.org/awards/richard-m-fulrath-awards|title=Richard M. Fulrath Awards|publisher=The American Ceramic Society}}</ref> *2011 – Fellow, International Society of Optical Engineering (SPIE), for "achievements in novel optical materials and optical fibers."<ref name=ddq/> *2012 – Fellow, Optical Society of America (OSA)<ref name=nnc/> *2014 – Class of ’39 Award for Excellence, Clemson University<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.clemson.edu/faculty-staff/faculty-senate/excellence.html|title=The Class of '39 Award for Excellence|publisher=Clemson University}}</ref> *2014 – South Carolina Governor's Award for Excellence in Scientific Research<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://whosonthemove.com/gov-nikki-haley-announces-2014-governor’s-award-for-excellence-in-science-189299/|title=Gov. Nikki Haley Announces 2014 Governor's Award For Excellence In Science|first=Cheryl|last=Cooper|date=November 30, 2014}}</ref> *2014 – Arthur L. Friedberg Ceramics Engineering Award, American Ceramic Society and National Institute of Ceramic Engineering<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ceramics.org/ceramic-tech-today/4-lectures-not-to-miss-at-mst14-rethinking-optical-fiber-new-demands-old-glasses|title=4 lectures not to miss at MS&T14—Rethinking optical fiber: New demands, old glasses|first=Jessica|last=McMathis|date=October 1, 2014|website=The American Ceramic Society}}</ref> *2014 – Top Ten Breakthroughs, Physics World magazine (Institute of Physics), recognition of first realization of transverse Anderson localization in a glass optical fiber<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://news.unm.edu/news/university-of-new-mexico-faculty-research-among-physics-worlds-top-10-breakthroughs-of-2014|title=UNM faculty research among 'Physics World's Top 10 Breakthroughs of 2014'|website=UNM Newsroom}}</ref> *2015 – Academician, World Academy of Ceramics (WAC), for "pioneering advances in optical fibers, glasses, and ceramics. Distinguished leadership and service to the field of glasses and optical materials."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.waceramics.org/membership.shtml|title=World Academy of Ceramics|website=www.waceramics.org}}</ref> *2015 – Fellow, US National Academy of Inventors (NAI)<ref name=llp>{{Cite web|url=https://academyofinventors.org/fellows-list/|title=National Academy of Inventors}}</ref> *2017 – Fellow, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), for "contributions to optical fibers and optoelectronic materials."<ref name=bby/><ref name=tre>{{Cite web|url=https://site.ieee.org/scc/2017/09/05/december-2017-clemson-university-materials-science-and-engineering-professor-john-ballato-named-ieee-fellow/|title=Clemson University's Prof. John Ballato Named IEEE Fellow|publisher=IEEE South Carolina Council}}</ref> *2019 – Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), for "distinguished contributions to the field of optical fiber and optoelectronic materials; most notably the development of semiconductor and crystal-derived optical fibers."<ref name=jda/> *2020 – Fellow, American Physical Society (APS), for "pioneering contributions to optical fibers, most notably to novel fiber optic materials and their fabrication." *2022 – William Streifer Scientific Achievement Award, IEEE Photonics Society, for "pioneering contributions to the science, engineering, and application of optoelectronic fibers."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.photonicssociety.org/awards/william-streifer-scientific-achievement-award|title=William Streifer Scientific Achievement Award – IEEE Photonics Society|website=www.photonicssociety.org}}</ref> *2022 – George W. Morey Award, American Ceramic Society, recognizing "new and original work in the field of glass science and technology."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ceramics.org/awards/george-w-morey-award|title=Glass & Optical Materials Division: George W. Morey Award|website=The American Ceramic Society}}</ref> *2025 - SPIE Aden & Marjorie Meinel Technology Achievement Award, International Society of Optical Engineering (SPIE), for "pioneering contributions to the invention, maturation, and application of semiconductor optoelectronic fibers"<ref>{{cite web|url=https://spie.org/news/john-ballato-the-2025-spie-aden-and-marjorie-meinel-technology-achievement-award|title=John Ballato: The 2025 SPIE Aden & Marjorie Meinel Technology Achievement Award}}</ref>

==Bibliography== ===Books=== *''The Handbook of Photonics'', 2nd Edition (2006) ISBN 9780849330957 *''Optoelectronics: Advanced Materials and Devices'' (2013) ISBN 9789535109228 *''Optoelectronics: Materials and Devices'' (2015) ISBN 9789535121749 *''Fiber Lasers XII: Technology, Systems, and Applications'' (2015) ISBN 9781628414349 *''Optoelectronics: Advanced Device Structures'' (2017) ISBN 9789535133698 *''Sixth International Workshop on Specialty Optical Fibers and Their Applications'' (WSOF 2019): Conference Digest (2019) ISBN 9781510631618

===Selected articles=== *Ballato, J., & Snitzer, E. (1995). Fabrication of fibers with high rare-earth concentrations for Faraday isolator applications. ''Applied Optics'', 34(30), 6848–54. *Ballato, J., Hawkins, T., Foy, P., Stolen, R., Kokuoz, B., Ellison, M., ... & Powers, D. R. (2008). Silicon optical fiber. ''Optics Express'', 16(23), 18675–83. *Dragic, P., Hawkins, T. W., Foy, P., Morris, S., & Ballato, J. (2012). Sapphire-derived all-glass optical fibres. ''Nature Photonics'', 6(9), 627–33. *Ballato, J., & Dragic, P. (2013). Rethinking optical fiber: new demands, old glasses. ''Journal of the American Ceramic Society'', 96(9), 2675–92. *Knall, J., Vigneron, P. B., Engholm, M., Dragic, P. D., Yu, N., Ballato, J., ... & Digonnet, M. J. (2020). Laser cooling in a silica optical fiber at atmospheric pressure. ''Optics Letters'', 45(5), 1092–95.

==References == {{Reflist}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Ballato, John}} Category:Living people Category:Rutgers University alumni Category:Clemson University faculty Category:Scientists from South Carolina Category:1971 births Category:Fellows of the American Physical Society